Aaric
sent for Noir. Directions given of a half mile from the spar hall, over
a few knolls and rocky terrain to where it opened up into a large field
tucked within one of the smaller forests. He wasn't attired as probably
would be expected of a warrior but then he was one of a different kind.
Only clothing worn was a dark brown loin cloth, short kilt style and
sandals that laced up the thick corded muscles of his calves. Bracers on
his wrists, sword attached to a wide belt over the kilt. He was built
stream lined, tone muscles, more muscular of arms and legs. Chest broad
but not overly and skin well tanned from the sun. Dark hair was
tied back in a tail. He stood in the middle of the field with
his head tipped back watching the sky. All senses on a heightened
alert even if one might think he was a statue at first worshiping the
sun. Sunlight played with few clouds to chase its light and a gentle
breeze teasing the long blades of grass like waves shifting in ever
changing patterns.

Noir
had followed the directions on foot, enjoying the day as she walked.
Dressed as always of late when she sparred, she wore a sleeveless vest,
well-worn leather pants, and the soft high boots. Her hair had been
tamed into a single braid, then coiled tight against her head. She
watched Aaric a moment before approaching, oceanic eyes a mix of blue
and green. The mithral bracers were worn as well, something she did only
for these spars, not for lessons or even every day. She said nothing,
knowing Aaric would sense her approach.

"Welcome
Noirin Morgane of the Water." Spoken as her first step into the
field was taken. Head then tipping back down as eyes were as blue as the
sky in their hazel counterpart. A smile hinted as he turned to face her
in that step to the side. He had been feeling her progress here, tracing
her movements through the winds, in that way touching around her. A
cordial dip of his head followed as hands moved out to either side palms
facing. "Shall we begin, Noirin?"

Noir
smiled, for few used her full name, and nodded. She studied him again
then her eyes met his, a touch of curiosity shown. She had a feeling
this was going to be beyond what she had even considered. "Yes, I'm
ready."

He
took a step back, as smooth as a dancer's. Fluid motion that came
without sound as well the sweep of his hand around. "Then
begin!" He had not drawn his sword at this point as dust devils
appeared from the forest around them, bouncing to zigzag their way
towards Noir. They were a touch higher than her height although not as
tall as Aaric. They might seem harmless enough until they drew closer to
surround her, the wind they were made of held debris. Thin branches
whipping out that could slice as well as leaves, stones and acorns the
trees had already started to shed. These became projectiles to fling out
at her. They would sting unless she was quick but would not really harm
her otherwise. A lot more could have been added but it was more the
..element.. of surprise to test. The first surprise. Seven in all were
closing in as Aaric kept in motion around the perimeter outside his
creations.

Her
sword would remain in its sheath until he drew his. A stone, then acorn
smacked against her cheek and arm before she was moving swiftly,
ducking, dodging, running all in fluid motion, faster than most could
see. Moisture was pulled from the air as she made her way toward Aaric,
small creatures made of water darting for him to try to slow him down,
or slip into the dust devils to change them from his weapons to hers.
She was glad the humidity was high this day!

He
soaked up her creations, evaporating them one by one as they charged him
to store like a sponge for later use. Fluid motion of feet matched to
counter dance, her speed and movements. Always keeping that -- just out
of reach -- distance. The dust devils bounced over the water
creations, one on top of the other, growing in size to form a
tornado. Taller and taller still coming up behind Noir to suck her up
into its funnel. Towards the center it was near hollow almost like a
long tunnel to the top, if she could climb, it a good fifty feet up. It
was not as large as he could make one but the principle was there.

Noir
felt the tornado behind her too late. As it caught her up, her braid
slipped from its tight coil, whipping around her face. The wind tore at
her clothing but since it fit tightly, it stayed put. The cord fastened
in a peace knot at her sword was ripped free, her sword itself smacking
against her body as she tumbled through the winds. Disoriented, she fell
into its center. With a shake of her head, she looked up and
chuckled. Battered and bruised, but not beaten! Yet. Gaining her breath,
she started climbing upward, dodging debris, using some of the larger to
jump from. Like a crazed squirrel, she ascended higher and higher until
she reached the top. Pulling moisture from the air itself, Noir
created a stream of water to slide down to the ground. Once there, she
darted away from the tornado and toward Aaric again, dodging suddenly
toward a small stream.

As
she slid down the tornado, it lifted spreading out into the
sky above turning into thunderous black clouds. The meeting of fronts in
that fast shifting change herald the clap of thunder loud enough to
shake the ground below. Aaric had changed by the time she started for
him. Standing with feet apart and the rise of his arms. Black clouds
formed around him in a hooded cloak distortion. He looked much the
warlock as he became part of the storm itself. Eyes went to white
lightning that sparked. Hands appeared in the black mass that now loomed
above her as fingers splayed and lightning streaked from his fingertips
like one that pulled the strings of a puppet to manipulate around her,
forming an electrical cage. The water used drawn from her now pelted
back down to soak the ground. His face just a shade of grey from the
black surrounding. The lit up eyes seemed alive on their own.

Noir
had never faced an air elemental before, so each attack and
counterattack was new for her. She glanced at him briefly, then yelped
as the cage formed around her. She knew he could use the moisture but
could he use a large amount all at once. The stream was diverted,
swelling up as in a flood the water from the storm used to add to it.
The wall of water swept toward him, gathering momentum as she continued
to gather more to it.

Water
conducted electricity which had those spirals of lighting attracted like
metal to a magnet. Sizzling sound as two great forces interacted and
they shot down and towards Noir at the source. Aaric stop the storm at
that point and hurtled himself through the wall to knock her out of the
way and take the electrical blast into his body instead. He could absorb
it but it would knock the breath out of even him for that moment.
Surreal clouds, unguided, split apart to dissolve back into sunlight
that once more poured down over the field. One whose tall grass now
glistened for the moisture that clung. Like a summer storm there and
gone, misting the heat that warmed the ground.

Noir flew backward,
disappearing into the tall grass as she landed on her back. The blast
had her closing her eyes as it shook the earth, sending debris and rocks
everywhere. She opened her eyes slowly, watching as the clouds began
to dissipate. It took a few moments more for her to sit up. The braid
was gone, leaving soaked curls plastered against her face.
"Aaric?" She called out his name, not trusting herself to
stand yet.

He had gotten to his
knees and being she was only a short distance from him, moved on all fours.
As with using any element, it would take its toll and best to
regain energy before standing. Especially after taking the shock into
his body to dissipate. Eyes were a hazel blue, touched with gray while
he guided his sword out of the way when taking a seat next to
her. He surveyed her face first as a hand lifted to touch in a graze
over any small wound or cuts from the ordeal. Healing beneath on this
superficial level. "We have a better understanding of each other
now. I can train you in what you know and what you do not know."
Eyes were following the motion of his hand before lifting to meet hers.
Smile showed to ease the quite serious, intense, spar of another kind he
put her through.

She
watched him as he neared, and rested her elbows on her knees. There were
a few bruises and cuts that faded with his touch. Eyes a deep green
watched his face then she smiled and nodded. "Apparently more than
I realized. I knew one such as you would have a command of weather, but
not the extent." She inclined her head, eyes sparkling. "I
would be glad to be trained further, Aaric." Never unwilling to
learn, Noir was also not bothered by being bested by a friend.

"Basically
what you need to learn is how to direct your gift against each opponent
you come up against. It would be different with me than it would be with one
of Fire. Fire you could douse, or attempt to depending on their level of
skill but with me, I would soak it up and use it back at you."
Once the healing touch was over fingers stilled as his hand cupped her
cheek still. "I am sorry for the bruises. If there is more I will
see to healing them. I needed you to have a good idea of what I am
capable of but not harm you." Eyes held and delved at the same
time. "I will be protecting you and eventually we will learn to use
our elemental powers together to make them a greater force." Glance
slid down to where his thumb rested against the corner of her lips
before falling away as he turned back to take a look out over the field.
A low chuckle escaped on a thought. "Now you know why I wished not
to spar in the hall."

Her
eyes were intent on his face as he spoke and she canted her head
slightly into his hand when he stilled. "The bruises are
superficial." Lips twitched into a smile as she continued.
"It's not possible to dodge everything inside a tornado." The
thought of working together made the smile grow wider. She looked at the
field and laughed. "I don't think there would be much of the hall
left standing."

"Exactly
and I don't think the good people here would be too pleased with me. Why
I chose this field far enough away and would give us the privacy
needed." He laid down into the plush of the grass as he cushioned
his head under the crock of his arm. Eyes turned to lift upon her, bluer
now under the sunlight. "You did very well all considering you have
not danced with the wind before." Teasing her some with the ease of
a smile that brought a dimple with it.

Noir
leaned her cheek against her knee as she watched him, then she grinned
back at him. "Not in that manner at least, a mild breeze perhaps.
Thank you, Aaric." She wiped at a curl that stuck to her cheek,
watching him thoughtfully. "You have spoken to the Druid Prince,
and to Myles." Not so much a question, but stating a feeling.

"Yes.
I will give my loyalty to them both and to these lands. I will organize
each of the elementals that come into service. Four in all as you are
one, I am one and Andrew the fifth, the one that is all four and more.
We have still to find Earth and Fire." Sweeping glance given over
the field again as a cooling breeze was brought to wash over
them. A comforting breath drawn and released. "There are other
elementals here but we will be in service directly of the Druid Prince.
Not to discredit any others as I have learned the King here has men of
such that are very skilled and renown. Eventually I hope to meet them as
they are away presently on castle matters." All that he was told
and would not delve any further on that which was not of his
business. "Next time I'll show you what I can do with a sword and
staff. I have also skills with the mace and whip."

She
had met one but briefly, not enough to gain an impression of him.
"I've heard much of them." The smile she gave was almost a
grin. "I would be pleased to see what you're capable of." Just
a hint of laughter touched her eyes as she went on. "With those
weapons."

"I
bet you would and show me more of your skills in that area." He
went up to a sitting position as a hand snaked out to tickle up her side
as he spoke. He heard enough to know she was very good and why he
decided to find out her skills in controlling her Element. That was
important to him than the other for their new placement in these lands.
Not something he would even lend to let others know about unless
needed.

She
wiggled away from his hand, laughing. "The spar you watched was
enjoyable to me. I was pleased to help Victor, and it was challenging in
a way I had not expected. When I fight on the field, I use a parrying
knife as well as my sword. Against a taller, heavier opponent, it
helps."

"The
man has skills. I was impressed with you both. He seems unaware of what
he is?" Uncertain as hazel blue eyes still locked with hers. Hand
had withdrawn in the lighter moment between them. One to help ease what
had transpired here shortly before. Aaric was up to his feet as he
offered a hand. "I think it is time to get back and watch."
Watching, meaning for when the other two would be drawn here to these
lands. The calling.

"I
am certain he is unaware." She wasn't certain what had happened to
Victor but perhaps one day they would be friends enough for her to
learn. Placing her hand in his, she stood and nodded, still meeting his
eyes. "I agree. Perhaps it will be soon."

"It
will be when it should be. In the meantime we will meet and train
together. What I know will be imparted to you and likewise to make a
stronger team." She would feel the strength in the lift that
brought her up then released once he felt she had her footing. Smile
traced into place as he took up a leisurely stride he was certain
she could keep with. No ... running like the wind on her. Not today
anyway. Thoughts on certain things held that grin upon his features
to spread more as they headed for the Thistle.